Where Do You Go??

William Wordsworth wrote The World is Too Much with Us many years ago. I often think of  his words when I look at the daily happenings. Here are a few lines from that poem:

“The world is too much with us, late and soon.
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
For this, for everything, we are out of time.”

Those words still ring true today. After listening to the news, we all need to find a place to go after being rocked and swayed by events. Whitney Houston sang “I Go to the Rock,” from The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack.  She sang:

“I go to the rock for my salvation.
I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me.”

Well, I go to the lake. It calms me. I can breathe. I remember Thich Nhat Hanh’s words, “Breathe, You are Alive!”

• I can breathe out and release some of the unsettling things.
• I can let go of what I have seen and heard.
• I can breathe out the outmoded thoughts and ideas.
• I can just breathe and sit in the silence.

And then, I can inhale.

• I can inhale new ideas.
• I can inhale new beginnings.
• I can inhale and chart new plans of action.
• I find a new source of energy as I regroup, refocus, renew, revamp, refresh and reflect.

I  return to the daily routines feeling rewarded. It is imperative for me!

Where do you go when it has all simply become too much?

Lynn M.                                                                                                                         July 26, 2016

Loving Youself!

You are the only you that you’ll ever get.  Have you thought about that?  There will never be another you.  Over the years, I have read so many books by wonderful authors like Wayne Dyer, Iyanla Vanzant, Og Mandino and Thomas Moore, to name a few.

They all reminded me of my individual uniqueness.  Each writer had his or her own personal style and method of delivery.  The messages all basically said that we should love and embrace ourselves throughout our journey through life.  It took years for me to wholly believe this after being admonished by the world on a regular basis.

Comparable to a nightly bath or shower, we have to ritualistically wash away those negative slugs and remember that we are indeed special.  No one else can do what we do. Sometimes, when others try to minimize our gifts, a situation may arise and guess what?  They start looking for you.

Deep within, people always know the truth.  They  know that you are the only one who can do a particular task because past events have proven it to be true.   They have an ‘aha’ moment and say, “Oh yeah, call him or her.”

So, gently go forward even during those harsh moments.  You know who you are.  In the meantime, use that downtime to relish in healing, peace and contentment as you take care of yourself and insulate your soul.  Maxwell Maltz writes, “If you make friends with yourself, you will never be alone.”

Relax, stay focused and  continually nurture you.  Brush off the debris that has been thrust upon you and move full steam ahead.  “Don’t brood.  Get on with living and loving.  You don’t have forever.” (Leo Buscaglia)

      Lynn M.                                                                July 23, 2016

 

Music Transports!

When we are writing a scene, we may remember some place from our past that will strengthen what we are attempting to say to our readers.  We want to revisit that era and music can unfailingly take us there. Playing old songs is similar to smelling certain fragrances because both can transport us back to times that have gone by.

It is like pulling back a curtain on a stage at a theatre.  The places, the characters, the clothes, the voices, the intonations, the dialogues and the events replay as if they are a part of the present moment.  Anais Nin wrote, “We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”

We see. We hear.  We remember.  It is comparable to an actor who gets into character.   We as writers go into a certain mode and then, we pick up the mood, the tone, the aura, the atmosphere and the scenery that we need to get down on paper.

As we listen to music from years ago, we relive things for a second time.  The puzzle pieces fall into place.  Our memories are jogged and the words start flowing like a waterfall.  They flow and flow and flow.  Her hands move with rapidity as we race to recapture all that is being thrust upon us.  It is our duty to write it down with as much accuracy as possible.

We sway to the beat as we recall our former selves. But now, we write from a higher level of maturity.  We have put things into perspective and we have learned a few lessons. We use those lessons to make some significant points.  That time has left its indelible marks and all we need to journey back down memory lane is the music!

Lynn M.                                                                                                               July 16, 2016

Jubilant July!

 

Fireworks displayed in the air,
Eyes of wonder truly stare.

Colors shapes set to a tone,
Of songs that are mostly known.

July-hottest month of all,
Makes some wish that it was fall.

Water; outdoor games galore.
‘Cause many spirits to soar!

Lynn M.                                                                                      July 13, 2016

 

Gifting!

When adversity strikes, we often feel despair and hopelessness.  There are no immediate answers to the big question, why?  My grandmother used to say that why was not in the Bible.   We used to laugh because it did not give us any answers but it didn’t stop us from asking the question.

Sometimes, “A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer.” (Author Unknown) However, we must focus on healing or binding up whatever or whomever remains.  There is no time to become like the Petrified Man and stand with our mouths agape.

Adversity is a strong signal that there is obviously a lot of work to be done.  So, instead of becoming frozen or spreading toxic tales of woe, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get busy.  One great orator gave a speech asking, “What’s in your hand?”  He was asking each person what he or she had to offer or give towards building solutions.

Ask yourself: Can I wipe a tear, hem a dress, cook a cake, give a hug, lead a child or counsel the broken-hearted?  We all have gifts so when the unimaginable happens, we must first get over the initial shock. Then, we should make ourselves available and ask how we can be of assistance?  What are my gifts?  What do I do well?

Once the guidance has been given and we know where we should be, then we must get busy.  It is our duty to share what has been graciously gifted to us.  Erma Bombeck wrote: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything You gave me.”

Lynn M.

July 9, 2016

Freedom!

It is the month of Freedom!  We will be hearing the phrase, Let freedom ring often during this month of July.  There will be many celebrations including family gatherings along with the viewing of sparkly fireworks.  Yet, people define freedom in personal ways.

I recently saw a play called A Song for Coretta which was written by the illustrious Pearl Cleage.  It was a wonderful tribute to Coretta Scott King and the Oh Freedom song that was sung has stayed with me.  I have been singing it around the house because the thought of freedom makes anyone feel lighter and more hopeful about life itself.

In spite of all of the daily tragedies that dot the airwaves, we  can all remain encouraged when we acknowledge those small freedoms that we enjoy on a daily basis.

• We have the freedom to laugh!
• We have the freedom to converse with special friends!
• We have the freedom to smile at strangers!
• We have the freedom to breathe in fresh air!
• We have the freedom to take slow walks in the park!
• We have the freedom to listen to the birds sing, the dogs bark and the kids play!
• We have the freedom to hear the waves of the waterfronts flap against the rocks!
• We have the freedom to sit outside and catch some sun!
• We have the freedom to cry and wash away our blues!
• We have the freedom to listen to some good music!

Take a moment and count the many freedoms that you enjoy on any given day and let freedom ring.  Oh, sing your song!

Lynn M.                                                                  July 2, 2016